Power & Utilities » EnerKnol

Jan152019

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Grid Operators Set to Expand Opportunities for Energy Storage in Wholesale Markets

Regional grid operators have filed proposals to comply with the first federal directive for broader participation of the technology in regional wholesale power markets. The California system operator is already compliant with majority of the requirements, with a market design that FERC has cited as an example for integrating storage resources. New York grid operator’s proposal poses limitations, such as lack of dual participation in wholesale and retail markets, amidst the state’s efforts to advance an ambitious 3-gigawatt goal for storage.

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January 15, 2019

Jan142019

PG&E to Seek Bankruptcy Protection Amid Wildfire Liability

PG&E Corporation announced it intends to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy code as it faces billions of dollars in potential liability resulting from the 2017 and 2018 Northern California wildfires, according to a Jan. 14 press release. The move comes a day after Geisha Williams stepped down as CEO. The company said…

January 14, 2019

Jan142019

California Begins Process to Determine Wildfire Cost Recovery Amid PG&E’s Troubles

The California Public Utilities Commission on Jan. 10 opened a docket to implement the provisions of Senate Bill 901 enacted last year, allowing utilities to pass some of their costs to ratepayers. The commission said it will adopt a methodology for wildfire cost recovery, but will not adopt any specific financial outcome for future applications….

January 14, 2019

Jan82019

Virginia Regulator Clears Appalachian Power’s Voluntary Renewable Power Program

The Virginia State Corporation Commission on Jan. 7 approved Appalachian Power Company’s proposal that allows customers the option to meet 100 percent of their electricity needs from renewable energy resources. Participating customers would pay a premium of $4.25 a month above the standard electric rate. State law permits utilities to design a tariff that customers…

January 8, 2019

Jan82019

Four Must-Watch Power Sector Trends for 2019

The power sector evolution continues unabated, marked by rapid growth of wind and solar, and a growing shift toward distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles. Interest in batteries is accelerating as states seek to capitalize the multiple benefits the technology provides to the grid, while the smart grid evolution…

January 8, 2019

Jan72019

Hawaiian Electric Proposes Largest Portfolio of Solar-Plus-Battery Projects at Record Low Prices

The Hawaiian Electric Companies submitted power purchase agreements for seven grid-scale, solar-plus-storage projects to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, according to a Jan. 3 press release. The projects total 262 megawatts of solar and 1,024 megawatt-hours of energy storage, with contract prices ranging from $0.08 to $0.12 per kilowatt-hour. The utilities said that the contracts…

January 7, 2019

Jan72019

New Hampshire State Lawmakers Propose Bill to Study Role of Microgrids for Resilience

New Hampshire House Democratic lawmakers Peter Somssich, Jacqueline Cali-Pitts, and Kenneth Vincent introduced legislation on Jan. 2 that would establish a task force to investigate the near- and long-term applications of microgrids to better manage demand on the primary grid, allowing for lower customer bills and more efficient use of electricity. (HB 238) The bill…

January 7, 2019

Jan62019

Dayton Power and Light Plans Smart Meters for All Ohio Customers in $576 Million Grid Modernization Proposal

The Dayton Power and Light Company, a subsidiary of AES Corporation, filed a distribution modernization plan with the Public Utility Commission of Ohio that proposes to invest $576 million in capital projects over the next decade, according to a Dec. 28 press release. The company said that plan is consistent with PowerForward, the state’s grid…

January 6, 2019

Jan32019

Idaho Regulator Reviews Avista’s $23 Million Energy Efficiency Portfolio

Avista Utilities asked the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to determine that the utility’s spending on energy efficiency programs in 2016 and 2017 was prudent, according to a Dec. 20 press release. The agency said that if the programs are not found to be cost-effective, the expenses will be passed on to shareholders, rather than the…

January 3, 2019

Jan22019

PJM Faces Complaint for Non-Assessment of Fuel Cost Penalty

Monitoring Analytics LLC, the independent market monitor for PJM Interconnection LLC, filed a complaint against the grid operator for determining not to assess a penalty to a market participant who violated the fuel cost policy, according to a Dec. 28 filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The market monitor said that the violation occurred on…

January 2, 2019

Dec282018

Greater Regulatory Clarity Will Facilitate Fair Competition of Storage Resources in Ontario Power Market: Report

The Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator issued a report on Dec. 20 identifying obstacles and mitigating strategies to ensure that energy storage resources can be integrated into its market and can compete in the delivery of services when feasible. The report calls for clarity in the market rules, Ontario Energy Board codes, and legislation and…

December 28, 2018

Dec182018

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Virginia’s Renewable Capacity to Triple in Latest Shift from Fossil Fuels

Virginia is striding towards a clean energy future by paving the way for faster and larger deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Grid Transformation and Security Act of 2018 declares that 5,000 megawatts of solar and wind energy are in the public interest, making it easier for these projects get regulatory approval. The state’s 10-year energy plan emphasizes grid modernization and innovative technologies, setting goals for renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, and electric vehicles.

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December 18, 2018

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